Protracted struggle can benefit workforce: Bardhan

Panaji, Jan 13 (UNI) CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan today emphasised that the rising economic growth and sensex boom cannot be the indication of the development of the country as long as the majority of population experiences no quality life.

''Economic growth is the one that helps qualitative change in the life of all. Economic and sensex boom is not indicative of the development of the country as long as there is no change in the life of the common man,'' the veteran leader said inaugurating the XIV Goa State CPI Council Conference here.

Mr Bardhan said the news of Mr Mukesh Ambani--Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd-- earning Rs 40 lakh per day or sensex crossing the 21,000 mark does not in anyway help better the life of the common man including the farmer and the workforce.

It is because only 0.5 per cent of the population is engaged in stock trading which is nothing but organised gambling in bourses.

The common man's lot could be bettered through rapid and meaningful industrialisation and generating employment potential, he said.

''Protracted struggle of the workforce could drive sense into the government to work, for bettering the lot of the common man. It is unfortunate that more than 80 crore of our population live with Rs 20 per day they earn as pointed out by the Arjun Sen Gupta Committee as against claims of rapid economic growth and sensex boom,'' Mr Bardhan said.

He claimed the UPA government had passed the legislation--which provides for protecting the tribals who survive on the minor forest produce-- after the Left parties raised their voice. ''The law has come into force with effect from January 1 to safeguard the tribals from the harassment of the forest officers,'' Mr Bardhan added.

A draft legislation providing for giving social security to the farmers and other workforce including the unorganised sector, prepared by the Parliamentary Committee chairman Sudkahar Reddy is likely to be introduced in Parliament in March next, he said.

''About 73 per cent of the workforce in the country is in the unorganised sector and seven per cent in the organised sector. Unless force is built up on the government by the workers community, the Bill does not become law,'' he asserted.

Mr Bardhan said whenever the UPA government deviated from implementing the Common Minimum Programme, the Left parties unitedly raised their voice as the latter ''is aware that its stability depends on the support of the Leftists''.

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